Travel Tips

Visiting a national park is easier than you might think. The hardest part is choosing between all of the parks and activities available. There are more than 400 national parks to choose from, so if you need a little help picking one, you're in the right place. The event calendar shares activities and ideas to inspire your planning.

Tips to Get You Started

• Most national parks don't even charge an entrance fee. Admission for parks that do charge an entrance fee fee range from $5 to $35, usually good for up to seven days for an entire carload of people. Learn about Free Entrance Days and national passes that may save you money.
• Find A Park gets you where you want to go. Select a park from the list or search for parks by state, activity, or topic.
• Check out park maps and National Park System maps.
• Once you've decided where you're headed, check out the park's online Plan Your Visit section. You'll find great things to do, maps, calendars, directions, park brochures, and operating hours.
• Be sure to read the park's Basic Information section so you can have a safe, enjoyable visit.
• If you're traveling with children, learn more about the Junior Ranger Program. It's sure to be a hit with the kids.
• If you're traveling with pets, be sure to check with the park. Many of our parks allow pets on leashes and in campgrounds, some even have kennels. You'll generally find pet information in the Plan Your Visit section or contact the park (see each park's Contact Us page for details). Also check out the Pets site for more information about pets in parks.
• Check out www.recreation.gov. You can make online reservations for some of our tours and campgrounds here, as well as learn about activities at other recreation sites.

Once You Arrive

• Stop by the park visitor center to pick up maps and guides and for up-to-the-minute information on everything from road conditions to hiking trails.
• Learn about the special programs offered in every park. Enjoy a ranger program or two—they offer something special for all ages and every interest.
• Ask a park ranger. These are some of the most knowledgeable people you will encounter on your travels … not to mention the friendliest!
• Be respectful of wild animals and keep your distance. The animals you may encounter in some national parks are not captive in a zoo—these animals are in their natural habitat and behave accordingly. Learn more about watching wildlife.
• Be conscious of the effects our actions may have on plants, animals, other people, and even entire ecosystems. Please help us care for these special places.Learn more about how we can minimize our impacts in parks.